Zarnow: Helping vets navigate civilian world

Leonora Williams talks about the day an acquaintance was killed in a bombing in Afghanistan. Williams decided not to tell her husband about his death so as not to worry him. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Women Veterans Seminar

Sponsored by: The state Employment Development Department and the office of Sen. Lou Correa, D-Santa Ana

Leonora Williams seems like the kind of person you would want in your corner.

She's a bulldog; she knows her stuff and digs in for her rights.

A financial management technician in the National Guard, Williams serves our nation in the trenches with payrolls and contractors. Sounds tame until you learn she was deployed to Afghanistan for a year – spending half of it near the Pakistani border at a base nicknamed "Rocket City," the target of regular rocket attacks.

Now this accounting student at Coastline Community College works at the school's Veterans Resource Center helping other veterans navigate the civilian world. She understands where they've been and tries to help them cut through the clutter to get where they are going.

In the military, someone tells you what to do and when to do it. In civilian life, choices can be overwhelming.

•••

A native of Venezuela, Williams was transferred to the United States with her hotel job in the food service industry. Eventually she realized she prefers keeping numbers in line to supervising kitchen staff.

She was 38 when she joined the Guard in 2009, attracted to a part-time job offering financial experience.

Her employer was not thrilled to have Williams gone for training.

"Why are you doing this to me?" her supervisor asked.

"I'm doing this for the country," Williams replied.

During boot camp at Fort Jackson, S.C., she was the oldest member of her platoon. But she set a standard as a "PT (physical training) stud."

"Look out," drill sergeants would shout as they ran. "The granny is passing you."

When she was deployed, in 2011, her employer said she could not hold Williams' position until her return.

"Yes, you have to," Williams responded, quoting the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act in her defense.

Leonora Williams talks about the day an acquaintance was killed in a bombing in Afghanistan. Williams decided not to tell her husband about his death so as not to worry him. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Leonora Williams describes working in the tower after being deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. The Newport Beach resident always carried a gun and knife and never let her guard down. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Leonora Williams, 41, joined the Army National Guard in 2009 to become a financial management technician. In 2011 she was deployed to Afghanistan. She will be the outreach specialist at the Veterans Resource Center in Newport Beach scheduled to open in early May. The Newport Beach resident is at the Veterans Resource Center at Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
One of the many awards Leonora Williams, 41, an Army National Guard specialist, received. At 38, she was the oldest in her platoon during basic training. She will be the outreach specialist at the Veterans Resource Center in Newport Beach scheduled to open early May. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Women Veteran's Seminar, sponsored by the State of California Employment Development Department, was held Friday at the Rancho Santiago Community College District offices in Santa Ana. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Army National Guard specialist Leonora Williams says she is most proud of this Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious service. Her husband is American and for Williams, born in Venezuela, it was important to serve America. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.